The Rehab Archipelago - Human Rights Watch

Some detainees—such as Huong Son who was detained for four years at the Phuoc Binh
center and released in late 2009—told Human Rights Watch that center-levied charges
subsumed all their nominal payment for work. Huong Son said:
I earned money, about VND200,000 to 300,000 ($ 9.50 to $ 14.50) a
month, but all of it was taken by the center to pay for my food…. I left the
center with no money. 192
Many former detainees explained that the food the centers provided was insufficient. 193
Consequently, detainees are forced to purchase food from the centers using the credit left
on their accounts or money that family members deposit. The amount spent by detainees
on food rations and personal hygiene items can be considerable. Vu Ban was released in
2008 after spending five years in Center No. 2 in Lam Dong province.
The money I made working I used for soap and extra food and personal items,
but it was not enough. When I left I owed the center VND700,000 ($ 33.50). 194
Dinh Lap was detained for five years in Center No. 5 (Dak Nong province). When it was time
for his release, his family had to pay for his expenses.
My family gave me VND800,000 ($ 38.50) a month. I spent the money my
family gave me on food like fish, meat, and vegetables that I cooked with
my mates. When I left, my family gave the center VND1.2 million ($ 57.50)
for unpaid expenses. 195
Legal Principles
Under Vietnamese labor law, employers are required to pay each worker wages that cannot
be lower than the applicable minimum wage. 196 Deductions from wages are also regulated:
for example, employees have the right to be aware of reasons for deductions, which
require trade union discussions and are limited to 30 percent of the monthly wage. 197
191 Human Rights Watch interview with Truc Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, 2010
192 Human Rights Watch interview with Huong Son, Ho Chi Minh City, 2010.
193 Human Rights Watch interviews with Muong Nhe, Quy Hop, Ly Nhan, An Thi, and Con Cuong, Ho Chi Minh City, 2010.
194 Human Rights Watch interview with Vu Ban, Ho Chi Minh City, 2010.
195 Human Rights Watch interview with Dinh Lap, Ho Chi Minh City, 2010.
196 Vietnam Labor Code 1992, art. 55.
197 Ibid., art. 60(1).
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